Covering block for decreasing wave forces

ABSTRACT

A covering block for constructing a breakwater comprises a front wall in which horizontal projections are formed up and down transversal rectangularshaped openings therebetween, in parallel rows, side walls left and right jointed at the both ends of the front wall, a partition wall in which multiple holes are formed to communicate with the above said openings, being jointed to the side walls at both ends, and a detention pond surrounded by the above four walls for reserving the overflow waves, are designed concrete stacked, assembling devices which are very convenient for constructing and handling.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to blocks to be assembled and used for constructing a breakwater that can decrease wave forces effectively, having inclined surfaces on a front wall portion of the breakwater facing the sea.

[0002] In the prior art, rubble mounds are used on the inclined surfaces of the breakwater. Strong or impulse waves and tides easily remove these rubble mounds.

[0003] Korean patent application No. 1999-46541 and Korean utility model application No. 1999-21409, filed in the name of the same inventor, show horizontal holes smaller in size than of the rubble in the mound and an increased number of holes. The large number of smaller holes result in a smaller space for preventing loss of rubble from the mounds. The large number of holes effectively decrease the power of waves between the projections, particularly for overriding, large waves that hinder serenity of inner sea.

[0004] Most of the conventional blocks are equipped with devices that are ineffective for dissipating and relieving wave forces, further they are too large to be conveniently installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present covering block includes rectangular shaped horizontal openings arranged in multiple rows, and projections horizontally arranged with the openings therebetween in the front wall for the purpose of lapping, dispersing, diffracting waves and finally decreasing the wave powers.

[0006] The present block also includes left and right sidewalls, which are perpendicular to the front wall facing the sea. A partition wall is arranged between the sidewalls. The partition wall is perpendicular and joined thereto, and further is parallel to the front wall. An intermediate wall is formed on the rear side of the partition wall and projects backward therefrom in a vertical manner. The intermediate wall forms spaces with the side walls, in which, rubble mounds are buried behind the breakwater.

[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide such blocks that solve these problems in view of the stability and ease of installing covering blocks on the inclined surfaces of a breakwater.

[0008] It is an another object of the present invention to make blocks that can effectively decrease wave forces, by the incorporated projections on the front wall of the breakwater and the openings formed therebetween. The block further includes sidewall structures joined to the front wall on both sides. A vertical partition wall is formed between the sidewalls and forms the web of an “H” shape. These four walls form a detention pond at the rear of the front wall, which reserve overflow waves. At the rear part of the partition wall, there are opened spaces filled with stones and rubble that form the mounds to absorb wave water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the breakwater in the present invention, which shows outlined inclined surfaces.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a covering block unit embodying the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along the line A-A'of FIG. 2.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front view of the covering block of the above said breakwater embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0013] The covering blocks in the present invention, which are to be installed on the inclined surfaces of a breakwater as in FIG. 1, are usually set up and assembled one to another by cranes in a step by step manner, and finally arranged and fixed to the inclined surfaces of the breakwater.

[0014] The construction of the covering blocks, is hereinafter disclosed.

[0015] In the drawings, construction of a unit covering block of the present invention, comprises front wall 1 on which are formed horizontal projection parts 2 that are disposed facing the sea. Front wall 1 also defines slit shaped transversal openings 3 through which wave pass the front wall and partition wall 7. Side walls 4, 4 a are joined perpendicular to the front wall 1, at both sides thereof, and to partition wall 7 which is integral with the side walls 4, 4 a at both ends. An intermediate wall 9 extends rearward from the center part partition wall 7. The present block unit also includes a pair of parallel and space-aparted side walls 4, 4 a. The side walls are disposed perpendicular to the front wall 1, and to the partition wall 7 at each end thereof. The side walls 4, 4 a form protrusions 5 and recesses 5 a on the upper and lower part thereof, and also form a protrusion 6 vertically out of one side wall and a recess 6 a in the opposite side wall, for fitting one another in the inclined surfaces of the breakwater.

[0016] Front wall 1, side walls 4, 4 a and partition wall 7 form a detention pond 8 therein which is opened upwardly. The detention pond receives rushed sea water which may be passed into holes 3 and flows over an upper part of the front wall 1. In the central portion of the partition wall 7, multiple holes 3 a are formed for passing the sea water therethrough for absorbing the water in the material, such as stones and pebbles, retained behind partition wall 7. Multiple holes 3 a also communicate with the openings 3 in front wall 1, for passing through and absorbing sea water from the stones and pebbles behinds wall 7 and out of the detention pond 8, and vice versa. Size of the holes 3 a in the partition wall 7, are smaller than those of pebbles and stones for preventing loss thereof.

[0017] Meanwhile, intermediate wall 9, of which the width and height are same to those of side walls 4, 4 a, is vertically projected to the rear from the partition wall 7. Intermediate wall 9 aids in supporting wall 7, and also by filling stones and pebbles in the spaces behind the partition wall 7 formed between the side walls 4, 4 a and intermediate wall 9.

[0018] The space behind partition wall 7, that is in the rear space out of detention pond 8, and the space between the side walls 4, 4 a, and intermediate wall 9, stones and pebbles are stacked, as seen in FIG. 3. The stones and pebbles, or a rubble mound, absorb the introduced waters through holes 3 a, and also emit absorbed waters through holes 3 a, and openings 3 fluidly communicating with each other, when the tide ebbs.

[0019] According to the present invention, the covering blocks B for decreasing wave powers, have sufficiently wide space formed between the horizontal projection parts 2 in the front wall 1 to promote reflection and diffraction of waves. Detention pond 8 contributes higher efficiency of decreasing wave powers by introducing rectangular-shaped water openings 3 and water reservoir 8. Further, holes 3 a absorb introduced waters through therethrough, and overflowing the water into stones comprising rubble mounds 10 stacked in the spaces defined between side walls 4, 4 a and intermediate wall 9.

[0020] The length of projection parts 2 having long tip portions contribute to dissipation of waves for decreasing wave power. Such wave dissipation results in a longer life of covering blocks B of the breakwater, as well as providing effective and convenient means to stack and handle the desired wall structure.

[0021] Further, a breakwater wall comprised of blocks B including holes 3 in the front wall 1 and holes 3 a in the partition wall 7 also prevent waves from sweeping out rubble 10 and the corresponding loss of the rubble mounds 10.

[0022] Detention pond 8 reduces the water turbulence, and therefore the size of the sea water holes 3 a can be formed as smaller ones in the present invention. What we claim is: 

1. A block for constructing a breakwater comprising: a front wall 1 having projections 2 which are protruded forwardly and horizontally thereon, and having rectangular shaped openings 3 transversally disposed in multiple rows up and down between the said projections, for introducing over-flow waters into a detention pond 8, in the inclined surface of the breakwater; a partition wall 7 disposed in parallel and space-apart relationship relative to the said front wall 1 at a distance, incorporating an intermediate wall 9 forwarding the rear direction, perpendicular thereto at the central portion of the partition wall 7, forming spaces among the walls backward; a pair of parallel and spaced-apart side walls 4, 4 a, said side walls being disposed perpendicular to the said front wall 1, and to the partition wall 7 at each both ends, said side walls form protrusions 5 and recesses 5 a on the upper and lower part thereof, and also form a protrusion 6 vertically out of the side wall and a recess 6 a in other opposite side wall, for fitting one another; a detention pond 8 surrounded by the above said walls 1, 4, 4 a and 7, communicating with the opened spaces 9 in which the rubble mounds 10 are filled, surrounded by the side walls 4, 4 a, and intermediate wall 9
 2. A block for constructing a breakwater according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall 7 forms multiple number of holes 3 a which are communicated with the openings 3 formed therein, for absorbing and emitting sea waters
 3. A block for constructing a breakwater according to clain 1, wherein the projections 2 of the front wall 1, has narrowed width of the tip portion thereof, and the openings 3 has also narrowed inlet space horizontally between the said projections
 2. 